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Board OKs prosecutor staffing resolution tied to DOJ grant; positions to align with DNA-focused work
Summary
The committee advanced a resolution to add assistant prosecuting attorney and part-time office assistant positions based on workflow needs in the conviction integrity unit and to align staffing with a $1.6 million DOJ grant; resolution moved forward with committee support.
The committee recommended and forwarded to the full board a resolution authorizing changes to prosecuting attorney staffing that align with a $1.6 million Department of Justice grant intended for conviction-integrity- and DNA-related work.
Mister Biondo (county counsel) explained the decision as an operational change: when a grant-funded prosecutor investigator vacancy occurred, the conviction integrity unit leadership recommended converting savings to an assistant prosecuting attorney position and a part-time office assistant to better meet workflow needs because grant restrictions limit certain positions to DNA-specific investigations. Biondo said the change helps the office spend awarded grant funds and that, if necessary, the county could request a six-month grant extension to expend awarded funds if hiring delays threatened that timeline.
Commissioners praised the effort to use grant dollars and thanked staff for assembling the materials in time to meet grant-related timelines. The committee recorded a vote passing the resolution 12–0 and forwarded it for full board action.
County counsel said the new positions were effective under the DOJ modified grant award beginning Oct. 1 and that the change does not require a general-fund match for the grant period. The committee’s action facilitates payroll and position approvals needed to spend the grant funds before the current grant term ends.
